Ariana returned home humming softly, a lightness in her step.
She felt as though she was finally on the verge of achieving a major breakthrough in her career. The internship opportunity at the company seemed like a fresh start—a chance to escape the burdens weighing her down.
She sat in her car for a moment in the dimly lit garage, gazing into the darkness that seemed to mirror what she was running from. But she was determined to make this opportunity her salvation and would cling to it with every ounce of strength she had.
Entering the house, she was greeted by the hurried steps of the maid rushing toward her.
"Madam, you're so late! It's already past 8 p.m."
Ariana smiled softly, placing her bag down.
"Don't worry. I just needed some time to myself?"
The maid looked at her warmly, accustomed to Ariana's caring demeanor, almost as if she were part of the family.
Madam, I received a call this afternoon from Mr. Leonardo," the maid began hesitantly. "He informed me that he left earlier today and asked me to prepare a small travel bag."
Ariana froze in place for a moment, processing the information.
"He's already gone? Alone?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
The maid hesitated, then shook her head.
"No, madam, he left with his secretary."
The words struck Ariana like a bolt of lightning. A whirlwind of emotions churned inside her—anger, frustration, and something she couldn't quite name—but her face remained unreadable, betraying none of it.
"Where did he go?" she asked coolly, though her eyes carried the weight of unspoken questions.
"He didn't say, madam. He just mentioned he'd be gone for a few days."
Ariana's gaze fell on the small bag placed neatly on the table, and her mind painted the scene vividly. Leonardo and his secretary, planning a brief getaway while she remained behind to bear the brunt of her struggles alone.
She exhaled deeply, masking her emotions under a veil of sarcasm.
"Did that woman who call this morning?" she asked her self with thinly veiled disdain.
As the maid finished explaining, Ariana stood silent, her expression unreadable. After a few moments, the maid spoke again, her tone cautious.
• "Will you be needing dinner, madam?"
Ariana shook her head slowly, her voice calm but distant.
• "No, I'll head upstairs. I need some rest."
The maid hesitated, watching Ariana ascend the staircase.
Ariana woke up feeling eager for the day ahead. She quickly rose from bed and took a refreshing morning shower, her excitement propelling her movements. After drying off, she headed straight to her wardrobe, pulling out an elegant gray outfit that exuded sophistication.
Gathering her hair neatly at the back, she decided to keep her makeup minimal—just a touch of foundation and a subtle gloss on her lips. She paused briefly to consider adding jewelry, but her gaze fell on the diamond wedding ring that had once adorned her finger.
With a firm resolve, she removed it from her hand and placed it in her jewelry box. It didn't belong there anymore, just as its meaning no longer held a place in her life.
Yesterday Her decision made, Ariana filled out the necessary company forms, hesitating momentarily before writing "Miss" in the title field.
Throughout the process, Adrian—her father's old friend and someone she respected deeply—offered her a kind yet knowing glance. He didn't pry or ask questions about the past, understanding her need for privacy.
At the company, Ariana arrived early, her presence marked by a subtle but confident smile. Adrian, as always, greeted her with a warm glance, acknowledging her with a silent nod. His familiarity brought a sense of comfort amidst the bustling office environment.
The other interns, still adjusting to the rhythm of the workplace, appeared a little uneasy. Ariana could sense their apprehension and understood it well—having been there herself not so long ago. Adrian stepped forward, as usual, guiding them with clarity, explaining what was expected of them in these first few weeks.
While some interns seemed distracted, Ariana focused intently, her mind already wandering to her past experiences at the university. The days of cramming for exams, the pressure of balancing work and study, all seemed so far behind her now. Still, the memories felt strangely familiar,
Adrian, ever the observant mentor, noticed her quiet determination and couldn't help but feel proud of how far she'd come.
On her first day at the company, Ariana met a young woman named Maria. The day itself was relatively easy, with basic introductions and getting familiar with the office. However, while the others left once their tasks were done, Ariana stayed behind. She was determined to learn as much as she could, using every opportunity to absorb new information.
By the time Ariana arrived at her home, exhaustion had settled over her. She barely had the energy to walk to her bed. As soon as she reached her room, she collapsed onto her bed, the weight of the day still heavy on her shoulders. Her mind raced with the events, the faces, and the tasks she had encountered. Yet, all she could do was close her eyes and let the softness of her bed envelop her.
She had stayed up all night reviewing the papers. The next day, she was exhausted from the lack of sleep, but she didn't let it show, especially in front of the employees.
Her manager had sent her documents to several departments, and with each task, she felt the strain on her legs from the high heels she had worn. Her feet ached, but she kept walking through the office, determined to get through the day. She knew that wearing lower heels would be a better choice for the training, but for now, she kept going, her energy fueled by her commitment to her work.
...…,
Ten days passed, each one dragging her further into exhaustion. Despite her efforts to stay efficient, the company's attempts to highlight her skills only added to the pressure. She could feel the fatigue growing stronger, as if it had taken a physical form. Her eyes were heavy, and the dark circles under them were a visible sign of the sleepless nights.
Yet, despite the exhaustion, she couldn't deny the praise from her superiors. Their recognition for her hard work was the only thing that kept her going. It was their encouragement that allowed her to push through the fatigue, even when it felt like she could barely catch her breath.
Leonardo had returned, and as usual, he didn't ask about her. She didn't want to see him either, but today was different. He had invited his friends over, and as his employee, she had no choice but to be the face of his social gathering.
Despite her exhaustion, she knew it was her responsibility. She dressed carefully, making sure to maintain a composed and professional appearance. Though she felt irritated, she couldn't afford to show it. It was a constant struggle between personal feelings and professional obligations. Even though she longed for some rest, today she had to play the role of the perfect hostess.